Entrepreneur Of The Year® Southwest

About Entrepreneur Of The Year

The Entrepreneur Of The Year program celebrates bold leaders who disrupt markets, build category-defining companies and transform industries—while uplifting communities.

Founded in 1986, the program recognizes original founders who bootstrapped their business from inception or who raised outside capital to grow their company; transformational CEOs who sparked innovation and propelled established organizations to new heights; and multigenerational family business leaders who reimagined a legacy business to fortify it for generations to come.

The Southwest program includes North Texas, Arkansas, Oklahoma and Wichita, Kansas. Independent judges select regional finalists and winners, with regional winners advancing to national competition in November.


2026 regional finalists are building the economy of tomorrow

*Over the most recent three-year period

2025 award winners


Entrepreneur Of The Year Southwest region team

Rex Alexander
Program Director

Trey Slinkard
Program Director

Michelle Eyrich
Program Manager

Teresa Michel
Program Coordinator

Founded and produced by
EY logo

Presented by

PNC logo
Cresa
Marsh
SAP logo
Kauffman Foundation logo

Regionally sponsored by
Platinum sponsor
Haynes Boone logo
Gold sponsors
Haynes Boone logo
Silver sponsors
ADP logo
Pierpont logo


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